New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre, the Delhi government and other concerned agencies to submit detailed action plans within four weeks, spelling out how they will implement long-term measures recommended to address the worsening air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, was hearing the matter after taking note of a status report filed by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati on behalf of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
During the hearing, the court was informed that the CAQM has proposed 15 long-term measures and has clearly identified the agencies responsible for implementing each of them. The bench noted that while additional steps may be required in the future, there can be no delay in enforcing the measures already recommended by the central pollution watchdog.
The court made it clear that it would not entertain any objections to these recommendations and asked all stakeholders to place on record their respective action-taken plans within the stipulated time frame. It emphasised that effective implementation, rather than prolonged deliberation, is the need of the hour to deal with the persistent pollution crisis.
Bhati told the court that the long-term roadmap includes phasing out highly polluting vehicles from the Delhi-NCR region based on emission levels, strengthening the Pollution Under Control regime, expanding rail and metro connectivity, and revisiting the electric vehicle policy. She also informed the bench that mechanisms have been identified to create an environmental compensation fund to support smooth execution of these measures.
Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as amicus curiae, pointed out that many of the steps suggested by the CAQM have featured in earlier plans as well, stressing the need for clear timelines to ensure that the recommendations do not remain on paper.
The Supreme Court’s firm stance comes against the backdrop of its earlier criticism of the CAQM. On January 6, the apex court had expressed dissatisfaction with the authority’s functioning, observing that it appeared to be “failing in its duty” after seeking a two-month adjournment on issues such as the temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas at Delhi’s borders to ease congestion.
The bench had also remarked that the pollution crisis has become an “annual feature” and underlined the urgency for practical and time-bound solutions. In December, the court had reiterated the need for decisive action and later modified its interim order of August 12, allowing authorities to take coercive steps against older vehicles that do not comply with Bharat Stage-IV emission norms.
With air quality in Delhi-NCR continuing to deteriorate year after year, the court’s latest order signals a push towards accountability and swift implementation of long-pending structural reforms.
